Released in 1976, the Eames 'Images of Early America' was a companion book, commissioned by Herman Miller as part of their celebrations of the US bicentennial.
Like the other Eames books, A Computer Perspective, The World of Franklin & Jefferson and The Powers of Ten, it was a companion book. Some of those were for films and others for exhibitions, such as this one. The exhibition was opened in 1976, was a relatively small affair and stood in the lobby of the Herman Miller showroom in Los Angeles.
The exhibition comprised of photographs taken by Eames Office members Bill Tondreau and Alex Funke along with Charles Eames. They had largely been taken during work for the earlier Franklin and Jefferson exhibition and they depicted historically important buildings and architecture from across the original early american colonies on the east coast. The book was set out with a minimal theme, a largely white spatial feel with the photographs placed and framed centrally on each page.
Herman Miller decided to release the companion book as a keepsake for the celebration and it was distributed to clients and visitors. There are quite a lot in free distribution and they are regularly for sale at vintage book stores or online. It is neither a high value nor especially rare book but it is a favorite among collectors. The condition is the most important factor that determines value and the most sought after would be those with little signs of use and with a super clean (non yellowing) white cover.
| Author | The Office of Charles and Ray Eames |
| Title | Images of Early America |
| Publication Year | 1976 |
| Publisher | Graphic Press, Los Angeles |
| No. Of Pages | 50 |
| Dimensions | 9" high x 9" Wide x 0.4" Thick |
The Images of Early America front cover is mostly white with only the title and a small framed image of Pohick Church in Fairfax County, Virginia
The inner title page is the only page in the book that contains any written text content and announces the photographers, year and title
Each page of the book contains a full color photograph, framed to the very center of the page, each with slide title at the foot
The simple plain cover wraps around to the back where a very small framed image of a Boston graveyard is the last in the book
